SINGAPORE, 5 April 2003 — The war in Iraq has not dampened the desire of Muslims in Singapore to go on Umrah to Saudi Arabia, travel agents said yesterday.
Those contacted by The Straits Times said 30 of the more than 1,000 bookings had been cancelled by people saying it was unsafe to travel. Those sticking to their plan see no threat.
Pilgrims spend nine to 16 days on Umrah. “They are ready to go and are not afraid,” said Ayoob Angullia, managing director of Shahidah Travel and Tours, referring to a group scheduled to depart for Jeddah on April 24. The Umrah proceeded smoothly in the first Gulf War in 1991, and we are more confident now,” he was quoted as saying.
On March 20, the start of the US-led war on Iraq, the Foreign Ministry advised Singaporeans to defer travel plans to the Middle East.
Singapore’s population of four million is 77 percent ethnic Chinese, 14 percent Malays who follow Islam, 7.7 percent Indians with the rest Eurasians and other minorities.
